Safeway Inc. concluded its annual prostate cancer campaign and continued to transform how the public treats and views the disease. During what has become a familiar summer tradition that reaches millions of Safeway customers weekly, the company raised more than $11.6 million for prostate cancer research. Since 2001, the company and its customers have raised $65.4 million for prostate cancer research.
“Ten years ago this unique funding and awareness raising channel didn’t exist,” said Dr. Jonathan Simons, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF). “Safeway changed that and, in the process, has altered the trajectory of the disease.” Mortality rates have declined markedly since Safeway joined the cause nearly ten years ago. “No business has done more to remove the stigma from prostate cancer and create a dialog about the disease,” said Dr. Simons.
“Thousands of men are alive today, because Safeway customers have given so generously each year of this crucial campaign,” Dr. Simons added.
The funds raised during the campaign are fueling and accelerating research at some of the top cancer centers in the U.S. Safeway’s funds allowed the Prostate Cancer Foundation to target some of the most advanced cancer investigators in North America. For example, Safeway funds played a “start up” role in the development of the recently announced prostate cancer drug, Provenge.
Over the last several years the company has funded a groundbreaking research team led by Drs. Robert Getzenberg and Theodore DeWeese of The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in partnership with researchers from MIT, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the University of Michigan and The Prostate Cancer Center of Vancouver, Canada. The team is working to increase patient response to a variety of therapies — including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy — by injecting nanoparticles into the patient. The nanoparticles collect in tumors and can be heated, using an external magnetic field, which weakens the tumor and makes it more responsive to therapy. This project has moved rapidly from concept to prototype and is now being tested in the laboratory.
Safeway’s support of PCF research programs is also helping to make important advances in other areas. Just two examples are immunotherapy (the science of stimulating a patient’s own immune system to destroy cancer cells) and new blood-and urine-based diagnostic tools. These “liquid biopsies,” which are cancer-specific and can also help measure patient response to treatment, are now on the horizon.
“Anytime you can engage or fund research that extends life or the quality of life, which is what PCF does, you stand to make a significant difference,” said Safeway Chairman, President and CEO Steve Burd.
Prostate cancer remains the most common non-skin cancer among Americans, affecting one in six men. Most people know someone who has battled the disease. In fact, based on the company’s workforce numbers, Safeway estimates that in most of its 1,700-plus stores, 13 or more employees or their immediate family members will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Safeway is one of the largest corporate supporters of cancer causes, having raised more than $144 million for breast and prostate cancer research and treatment since 2001. However, cancer research is just one of the many important causes that the company supports each year. Safeway contributes to a broad range of charitable and community programs and in 2009 donated more than $253 million to education, hunger relief, health and human services and programs focused on assisting people with disabilities.
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